Apparatus for the sorting or selection of a fibre sliver comprising textile fibres, especially for combing

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the sorting or selection of fibre, especially for combing, is supplied by supply device to a sorting device. Clamping devices are provided which clamp the fibre sliver at a distance from its free end, for combing in order to loosen and remove non-clamped constituents, such as, for example, short fibres, neps, dust and the like from the free end. To enable productivity to be increased and an improved combed sliver to be obtained, downstream of the supply there is arranged at least one rotatably mounted roller which is provided with clamping devices for the fibre sliver, which clamping devices are distributed spaced apart around the periphery of the roller, and combing elements are associated with the periphery of the roller.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 102006 050 384.8 dated Oct. 20, 2006, German Utility Model Application No.20 2007 010 686.6 dated Jun. 29, 2007 and German Patent Application No.10 2007 037 426.9 dated Aug. 8, 2007, the entire disclosures of all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for the sorting or selection of afibre sliver comprising textile fibres, especially for combing. It isknown for fibre slivers to be supplied by means of supply means to afibre-sorting device, especially a combing device, in which clampingdevices are provided which clamp the fibre sliver at a distance from itsfree end, mechanical means being present which generate a combing actionfrom the clamping site to the free end of the fibre sliver in order toloosen and remove non-clamped constituents, such as, for example, shortfibres, neps, dust and the like from the free end.

In practice, combing machines are used to free cotton fibres or woollenfibres of natural impurities contained therein and to parallelise thefibres of the fibre sliver. For that purpose, a previously preparedfibre sliver is clamped between the jaws of the nipper arrangement sothat a certain sub-length of the fibres, known as the “fibre tuft”,projects at the front of the jaws. By means of the combing segments ofthe rotating combing roller, which segments are edged with needleclothing or toothed clothing, the fibre tuft is combed and thus cleaned.The take-off device usually consists of two counter-rotating rollerswhich grip the combed fibre tuft and carry it onwards.

In order to separate short fibres, neps, dirt and other constituentsfrom a fibre mixture it is known to supply the fibre material in theform of lap rolls to combing machines for mechanical combing-out, theend of the lap web being clamped by a nipper and the end projectingbeyond the clamping line being mechanically combed-out by means of thecomb clothing of a circular comb. The combed-out fibre tuft is thentransferred to a detaching roller pair where it is in turn formed into acoherent web, or “pieced”. When the fibre tuft is removed from thenipper by the detaching rollers, the end severed from the lap islikewise pulled through a mechanical top comb, so that as far aspossible no short fibres, neps, dirt and other undesirable constituentsremain in the combed web. A disadvantage of that known combing methodis, in particular, the discontinuous mode of operation, in which largemasses have to be accelerated and decelerated during the operatingcycle.

The back and forth swinging movement of the nipper assembly gives riseto very substantial vibration, especially in the case of high nip rates,which on the one hand requires the drive elements and bearing elementsto be of suitably stable construction and on the other hand places highdemands on the framework of the machine as well as on the base on whichthe machine is mounted.

In order to be able to remove the partially cleaned fibres from the jawsof the nipper unit using the rollers of the take-off device, either therelatively heavy take-off device needs to move linearly or over part ofan arc of a circle to the fibre tuft held between the jaws of the nipperarrangement or, the other way round, the nipper arrangement has to bemoved towards the stationary take-off rollers. In the case of the 450nips per minute usually required, the large masses being moved result ina high level of dynamic agitation of the entire combing machine whichlimits its operating speed and productivity.

Furthermore, a problem of conventional combing machines is that when thecombed fibres are removed by the counter-rotating take-off rollers, upto 50% of the fibre length has not been cleaned by the circular comb,because during the combing process, that is to say when the combingsegment passes, the fibres were clamped between the jaws of the nipperarrangement or were located behind the jaws, seen in the transportdirection. In order also to clean that portion of the fibres as well aspossible, those fibres are conventionally pulled through a top combarranged in front of the take-off rollers. The top comb is an additionalstructural element for every combing head.

The detaching roller pair, consisting of a lower detaching roller and anupper detaching roller, is directly adjacent to the nipper apparatus andthe circular comb. The lower detaching roller is located between thepath of movement of the comb tips of the circular comb and the upperdetaching roller and, together with the upper detaching roller, formsthe clamping nip for the combed sliver. The nipper arrangement ismounted so as to swing in two directions. Firstly, it is moved, at adistance from the detaching roller pair, towards the path of movement ofthe comb tips of the circular comb. In that position, the combing of thefibre tuft is carried out by the circular comb. When that operation iscomplete, the nipper apparatus is raised as a unit so that the fibretuft that has just been combed arrives in front of the clamping nip ofthe detaching roller pair. During that movement, the nipper apparatusalso approaches the detaching roller nip horizontally. The portion ofcombed sliver conveyed back at that time point is overlapped with thetips of the new, combed fibre tuft, compressed in the clamping nip ofthe detaching rollers and drawn in the take-off direction by thedetaching rollers, the top comb being inserted into the end of the fibretuft that has just been combed and combing out that free piece of fibre.As a result of the receding movement of the nipper apparatus and thetake-off movement of the detaching roller pair, the combed fibre tuft isdetached and a fresh fibre tuft is supplied to the nipper apparatus bythe feed roller, clamped and brought into the combing position relativeto the circular comb. Such an arrangement is disadvantageous because, inparticular, the nipper apparatus has to perform a variety of very largemovements with greater or lesser degrees of acceleration. The operatingspeed is thus considerably limited, a large amount of noise is generatedand the inertial forces that arise result in above-average wear.Adjustment of the detaching distance and the feed quantity can beeffected only while the machine is stationary. A further crucialdisadvantage is that the free end of the fibre tuft that has just beencombed also has to be moved at relatively high speed, with its freefibre tips to the front, over large distances and placed in an exactlydefined position onto the returned end of the combed sliver. Independence upon the air vortices that occur and the respective airresistance, the fibre tuft is frequently incorrectly positioned on thereturned combed sliver so that it is necessary to operate at relativelylow speeds. In any case, however, losses of quality are observed in thecombed sliver. A further disadvantage of the known apparatus is thatuncontrolled fold-formation occurs between the detaching roller pair andthe take-off rollers as a result of the pilgrim-step motion of thedetaching rollers, which additionally results in disruption of thecombing process.

When the nipper is located in its forward position, it is opened andtransfers the combed-out fibre tuft to the detaching roller pair, thattuft being pieced with the previously detached fibre tuft.

The known cotton-combing process is a discontinuous process. During anipping operation, all assemblies and their drive means and gears areaccelerated, decelerated and in some cases reversed again. High niprates result in high acceleration. Particularly as a result of thekinematics of the nippers, the gear for the nipper movement and the gearfor the pilgrim-step movement of the detaching rollers, highacceleration forces come into effect. The forces and stresses that ariseincrease as the nip rates increase. The known flat combing machine hasreached a performance limit with its nip rates, which preventsproductivity from being increased. Furthermore, the discontinuous modeof operation causes vibration in the entire machine which generatesdynamic alternating stresses.

EP 1 586 682 A discloses a combing machine in which, for example, eightcombing heads operate simultaneously one next to the other. The drive ofthose combing heads is effected by means of a lateral drive meansarranged next to the combing heads having a gear unit which is indriving connection by way of longitudinal shafts with the individualelements of the combing heads. The fibre slivers formed at theindividual combing heads are transferred, one next to the other on aconveyor table, to a subsequent drafting system in which they aredrafted and then combined to form a common combing machine sliver. Thefibre sliver produced in the drafting system is then deposited in a canby means of a funnel wheel (coiler plate). The plurality of combingheads of the combing machine each have a feed device, a pivotallymounted, fixed-position nipper assembly, a rotatably mounted circularcomb having a comb segment for combing out the fibre tuft supplied bythe nipper assembly, a top comb and a fixed-position detaching devicefor detaching the combed-out fibre tuft from the nipper assembly.Disadvantages of that combing machine are especially the large amount ofequipment required and the low hourly production rate. There are eightindividual combing heads which have in total eight feed devices, eightfixed-position nipper assemblies, eight circular combs with combsegments, eight top combs and eight detaching devices. A particularproblem is the discontinuous mode of operation of the combing heads.Additional disadvantages result from large mass accelerations andreversing movements, with the result that high operating speeds are notpossible. Finally, the considerable amount of machine vibration resultsin irregularities in the deposition of the combed sliver. Moreover, theecartement, that is to say the distance between the nipper lip of thelower nipper plate and the clamping point of the detaching cylinder, isstructurally and spatially limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the invention to provide an apparatus of the kinddescribed at the beginning which avoids or mitigates the mentioneddisadvantages and which in a simple way, in particular, enables theamount produced per hour (productivity) to be substantially increasedand an improved combed sliver to be obtained.

The invention provides an apparatus for the sorting or selection of afibre structure comprising textile fibres which is supplied by means ofa supply device to a sorting device, wherein the sorting devicecomprises:

at least one rotatably mounted roller, arranged downstream of the supplydevice, that rotates rapidly without interruption;

clamping devices which can clamp a portion of the fibre at a distancefrom its free end;

a mechanical combing device comprising at least one combing elementwhich generates a combing action from the clamping site to the free endof the fibre in order to loosen and remove non-clamped constituents fromthe free end;

wherein the clamping devices are provided on said at least one rotatablymounted roller distributed spaced apart in the region of the rollerperiphery, and the at least one combing element is associated with theperiphery of the roller.

By implementing the functions of clamping and moving the fibre bundlesto be combed-out on a rotating roller, high operating speeds (nip rates)are achieved—unlike the known apparatus—without large mass accelerationsand reversing movements. In particular, the mode of operation iscontinuous. When a high-speed roller is used, a very substantialincrease in hourly production rate (productivity) is achieved which hadpreviously not been considered possible in technical circles. A furtheradvantage is that the rotary rotational movements result in a calming ofvibration as well as more uniform movement sequences of the machine andaccordingly in an improved combed sliver. The ecartement isadvantageously not limited structurally. Moreover, the feed quantity ofthe incoming fibre lap is increased as a result and the separation oflong-fibres is reduced.

The clamping devices advantageously cooperate with the means forgenerating a combing action (combing elements). Advantageously, themeans for generating a combing action (combing elements) are locatedopposite the periphery of the roller. Advantageously, there is a spacebetween the means for generating a combing action (combing elements) andthe clamping devices. Advantageously, there is a space between the meansfor generating a combing action (combing elements) and the periphery ofthe roller. Advantageously, during combing-out the fibre sliver beingcombed out is in engagement with a clamping device and with a means forgenerating a combing action (combing element). The supply arrangementfor the rotating roller may in some embodiments comprise a top combroller. The supply arrangement may instead or as well comprise one ormore of: a roller having clothing, needles or the like; a combcirculation element; two endlessly circulating belts; at least two feedrollers; or a slow-speed feed roller and a feed table. In certainembodiments, the supply arrangement may be formed from a draftingsystem. Advantageously, a top comb is arranged between the supplyarrangement and the rotatable roller. Advantageously, the supplyarrangement is fixed. Advantageously, the supply arrangement conveys thefibre lap continuously. Advantageously, means are provided to separatethe fibre sliver delivered by the supply arrangement step-wise intoindividual fibre tufts. Advantageously, the means for creatingindividual fibre tufts comprise the rotatably mounted first roller.Advantageously, the rotatably mounted roller is provided with firstclamping devices distributed spaced apart around its periphery, whichpreferably each have a nipper device. Preferably, there are means fortransferring the fibre tufts to the subsequent sorting device (combingdevice). Preferably, the first roller serves for transferring the fibretufts to the subsequent fibre-sorting device (combing device).Advantageously, when transferring the fibre tufts the first clampingelements and second clamping devices of a second roller cooperate.Advantageously, a rotatably mounted second roller is associated axiallyparallel to the first roller. In certain embodiments, the first rollerand the second roller rotate in opposite directions to one another.Advantageously, the second roller is provided with second clampingdevices distributed spaced apart around its periphery, the secondclamping devices each advantageously having a nipper device. Withrespect to the first and/or second roller, the nipper devices may have arotatably or displaceably mounted gripping element (upper nipper) and/ora fixedly mounted counter-element (lower nipper). The nipper devices mayhave a fixedly mounted counter-element (lower nipper). Advantageously,the counter-element (lower nipper) is movably mounted. Advantageously,the gripping element (upper nipper) is loaded by a force element, forexample by a spring. Advantageously, the movably mounted counter-element(lower nipper) is force-loaded, for example by a spring. Advantageously,there is a relative movement between the nipper devices of the firstroller and the supply arrangement. Advantageously, the second clampingdevices cooperate with the means for generating a combing action.Advantageously, the means for generating a combing action are arrangedat a distance from the outer periphery of the second roller.Advantageously, the second clamping devices co-operate with the meansfor generating a combing action. Advantageously, the means forgenerating a combing action are arranged at a distance from the outerperiphery of the second roller. The means for generating a combingaction may be of any suitable kind. For example, the means forgenerating a combing action may have endlessly circulating comb elements(revolving top). In that case, the comb elements run in the samedirection as the clamped fibre bundles. It is preferred that the speedratio between the second roller (combing rotor) and the comb topcirculation is greater than 1.

In another advantageous embodiment, the means for generating a combingaction have at least one rotating circular comb (circular comb rollers).The circular comb may have combing elements around its periphery. Thecircular comb may have circular comb rollers equipped with needles orthe like around their periphery.

Advantageously, the second roller is associated with a take-off device.Preferably, there is a rotatably mounted take-off roller axiallyparallel to the second roller (combing rotor). The take-off roller maybe provided with a clothing or the like on its outer periphery.Advantageously, the outer cylindrical surface of the take-off roller hasair-passage openings. Advantageously, the interior of the take-offroller is connected to a source of negative pressure. In practice, itmay be advantageous for a portion of the inner cylindrical surface ofthe take-off roller to be sealed by a screen element. Advantageously,the take-off roller is used for piecing the combed fibre tufts.Preferably, at least two fibre tufts are arranged to be supplied to thesorting device. Preferably, the fibre tufts are arranged to be suppliedone after another to the fibre-sorting device. Preferably, a draftingdevice is arranged downstream of the take-off roller. As well, orinstead, a sliver-deposition device may be arranged downstream of thetake-off roller. In certain preferred arrangements, a drive device, forexample a motor, is provided for moving the clamping devices, forexample the upper nipper. It is preferred for a cam gear, for example acam disc gear, to be arranged between the drive device, for example amotor, and the clamping devices. Preferably, at least one roller (supplyroller, combing roller) is associated with a drive device, for examplean electric motor. Preferably, the first roller and the second rollerare drivable by a common gear. Advantageously, the drive device, forexample an electric motor, drives the common gear.

In practice, two or more rotor combing machines are typically present.In that case, a drafting system is advantageously arranged downstream ofeach rotor combing machine. It is preferred for there to be provided, inassociation with a combing element or elements, a cleaning device, forexample, a rotating cleaning roller. The cleaning roller isadvantageously associated with an extraction device.

The invention also provides an apparatus for the sorting or selection ofa fibre sliver comprising textile fibres, especially for combing, whichis supplied by means of supply means to a sorting device, especially acombing device, in which clamping devices are provided which clamp thefibre sliver at a distance from its free end, and mechanical means arepresent which generate a combing action from the clamping site to thefree end of the fibre sliver in order to loosen and remove non-clampedconstituents, such as, for example, short fibres, neps, dust and thelike from the free end, characterised in that downstream of the supplymeans there is arranged at least one rotatably mounted roller thatrotates rapidly without interruption and that is provided with clampingdevices for the fibre sliver, which clamping devices are distributedspaced apart in the region of the roller periphery, and the mechanicalmeans for generating a combing action (combing elements) are associatedwith the periphery of the roller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a device for combing fibrematerial, comprising a combing preparation device, a rotor combingmachine and a sliver-deposition device,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of a rotor combing machine accordingto the invention having two rollers,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rotor combing machine according toFIG. 2 having two cam discs,

FIG. 4 shows a top comb roller as supply means,

FIG. 5 shows a clothed roller as supply means,

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b show two arrangements of a double belt device as supplymeans,

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b show two feed rollers as supply means, having a top combfrom above (FIG. 7 a) and from below (FIG. 7 b),

FIG. 8 is a side view of the second roller (combing roller) havingclamping devices and a revolving card top device for combing elements,

FIG. 9 is a side view of the second roller (combing roller) havingclamping devices and circular combs (comb rollers) as combing elements,

FIGS. 10 a, 10 b show the second roller (combing rotor) and the take-offroller for counter-direction piecing (FIG. 10 a) and same-directionpiecing (FIG. 10 b),

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a clamping device comprising aspring-loaded upper nipper (gripping element) and a spring-loaded lowernipper (counter-element),

FIG. 12 a to 12 d show in diagrammatic form the operating sequence offibre selection in the case of the two-rotor combing machine,

FIG. 13 is a block circuit diagram showing an electronic control andregulation device for the spinning preparation machine, the rotorspinning machine and the sliver-deposition device and

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic side view of a further embodiment of the rotorcombing machine having a roller.

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of first and second rollers of a rotorcombing machine including a plurality of suction openings.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, a combing preparation machine 1 has asliver-fed and lap-delivering spinning room machine and two feed tables4 a, 4 b (creels) arranged parallel to one another, there being arrangedbelow each of the feed tables 4 a, 4 b two rows of cans 5 a, 5 bcontaining fibre slivers (not shown). The fibre slivers withdrawn fromthe cans 5 a, 5 b pass, after a change of direction, into two draftingsystems 6 a, 6 b of the combing preparation machine 1 which are arrangedone after the other. From the drafting system 6 a, the fibre sliver webthat has been formed is guided over the web table 7 and, at the outletof the drafting system 6 b, laid one over the other with, and broughttogether with, the fibre sliver web produced therein. By means of thedrafting systems 6 a and 6 b, in each case a plurality of fibre sliversare combined to form a lap and drafted together. A plurality of draftedlaps (two laps in the example shown) are doubled by being placed one ontop of the other. The lap so formed is introduced directly into thesupply device (feed element) of the downstream rotor combing machine 2.The flow of fibre material is not interrupted. The combed fibre web isdelivered at the outlet of the rotor combing machine 2, passes through afunnel (see FIG. 10 a), forming a comber sliver, and is deposited in adownstream sliver-deposition device 3. Reference numeral A denotes theoperating direction.

An autoleveller drafting system 50 (see FIG. 2) can be arranged betweenthe rotor combing machine 2 and the sliver-deposition device 3. Thecomber sliver is thereby drafted.

In accordance with a further construction, more than one rotor combingmachine 2 is provided. If, for example, two rotor combing machines 2 aand 2 b are present, then the two delivered comber slivers 17 can passtogether through the downstream autoleveller drafting system 50 and bedeposited as a drafted comber sliver in the sliver-deposition device 3.

The sliver-deposition device 3 comprises a rotating coiler head 3 a, bywhich the comber sliver can be deposited in a can 3 b or (not shown) inthe form of a can-less fibre sliver package.

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative embodiment in which a rotor combing machine2 having a supply device 8 comprises a feed roller 10 and a feed tray11, having a first roller 12 (turning rotor), second roller 13 (combingrotor), a take-off device 9 comprising a take-off roller 14 and arevolving card top combing assembly 15. The directions of rotation ofthe rollers 10, 12, 13 and 14 are shown by curved arrows 10 a, 12 a, 13a and 14 a, respectively. The incoming fibre lap is indicated byreference numeral 16 and the delivered fibre web is indicated byreference numeral 17. The rollers 10, 12, 13 and 14 are arranged oneafter the other. Arrow A denotes the operating direction.

The first roller 12 is provided in the region of its outer peripherywith a plurality of first clamping devices 18 which extend across thewidth of the roller 12 (see FIG. 3) and each consist of an upper nipper19 (gripping element) and a lower nipper 20 (counter-element). In itsone end region facing the centre point or the pivot axis of the roller12, each upper nipper 19 is rotatably mounted on a pivot bearing 24 a(see FIG. 11) which is attached to the roller 12. The lower nipper 20 ismounted on the roller 12 so as to be either fixed or movable (see FIG.11). The free end of the upper nipper 19 faces the periphery of theroller 12. The upper nipper 19 and the lower nipper 20 co-operate sothat they are able to grip a fibre sliver 16, 30 ₁, 30 ₂ (clamping) andrelease it (FIG. 12 a to 12 c).

The second roller 13 is provided in the region of its outer peripherywith a plurality of two-part clamping devices 21 which extend across thewidth of the roller 13 (see FIG. 3) and each consist of an upper nipper22 (gripping element) and a lower nipper 23 (counter-element). It willbe appreciated that the terms “upper” and “lower” in relation to thenippers refer to their relative positions, which may change duringoperation, and are used merely for convenience. Thus, in the rotationalposition of the roller shown in FIG. 11, the upper nipper 22 is in factshown as being below the lower nipper 23. In its one end region facingthe centre point or the pivot axis of the roller 13, each upper nipper22 is rotatably mounted on a pivot bearing 24 b (see FIG. 11) which isattached to the roller 13. The lower nipper 23 is mounted on the roller13 so as to be either fixed (see FIG. 8) or movable (see FIG. 11). Thefree end of the upper nipper 22 faces the periphery of the roller 13.The upper nipper 22 and the lower nipper 23 co-operate so that they areable to grip a fibre sliver 30 ₂, 30 ₃ (clamping) and release it (FIGS.8; 10 a, 10 b; 12 c, 12 d). In the case of roller 12, around the rollerperiphery between the feed roller 10 and the second roller 13 theclamping devices 18 are closed (they clamp fibre bundles (not shown) atone end) and between the second roller 13 and the feed roller 10 theclamping devices 18 are open. In roller 13, around the roller peripherybetween the first roller 12 and the doffer 14 the clamping devices 21are closed (they clamp fibre bundles (not shown) at one end) and betweenthe doffer 14 and the first roller 12 the clamping devices 21 are open.Reference numeral 50 denotes a drafting system, for example anautoleveller drafting system. The drafting system 50 is advantageouslyarranged above the coiler head 3 a. Reference numeral 51 denotes adriven ascending conveyor, for example a conveyor belt. It is alsopossible to use an upwardly inclined metal sheet or the like forconveying purposes.

The roller 12, and preferably also the roller 13, is mounted rotatablyand in use rotates rapidly without interruption.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, for the purpose of opening and closing theclamps, two fixed cam discs 25 and 26 are provided, about which theroller 12 having the first clamping devices 18 and the roller 13 havingthe second clamping device 21 are rotated in the direction of arrows 12a and 13 a, respectively. The loaded upper nippers 19 and 22 arearranged in the intermediate space between the outer periphery of thecam discs 25, 26 and the inner cylindrical surfaces of the rollers 12,13. By rotation of the rollers 12 and 13 about the cam discs 25 and 26,the upper nippers 19 and 22 are rotated about pivot axes 24 a and 24 b,respectively. In that way, the opening and closing of the first clampingdevices 18 and the second clamping devices 21 is implemented.

In the arrangement of FIG. 4, the feed roller 10 has around itsperiphery comb segments 10 b which are arranged axially parallel acrossthe width. The feed roller 10 in accordance with another embodimentshown in FIG. 5 has around its periphery a clothing 10 c, preferablyall-steel clothing. In the embodiments of FIGS. 6 a, 6 b, the supplydevice consists of two endlessly revolving belts 27 a, 27 b, betweenwhich there is a conveyor gap for the incoming fibre lap 16. Theconveyor gap in FIG. 6 a is arranged substantially radially with respectto the roller 12, while the conveyor gap in FIG. 6 b is arrangedopposite the direction of rotation 12 a. In yet further embodimentsaccording to FIGS. 7 a and 7 b, between a feed roller pair 28 a, 28 b(for directions of rotation see curved arrows) and the first roller 12there is arranged a fixed comb 29 ¹ and 29 ₂, respectively, the combteeth of the fixed comb 29 ¹ engaging the fibre lap 16 from above andthe comb teeth of the fixed comb 29 ₂ engaging the fibre lap 16 frombelow.

Using the embodiment of FIG. 8, the fibre bundles 30 ₃ are clamped atone end by some of the clamping devices 21 between the upper nipper 22and the lower nipper 23, that is to say at a distance from their freeend. The fibre bundles 30 ₃ are then bent over in the direction of theirfree ends, the free end regions of the fibre bundles 30 ₃ each beingdirected against the direction of rotation 13 a. The revolving topcombing assembly 15 consists of a flexible belt element 15 c endlesslyrevolving around two guide rollers 15 a and 15 b and having a pluralityof combing elements 31 mounted on its outer side. The free ends of thecombing teeth of the combing elements 31 point in the direction awayfrom the belt element 15 c. The combing elements 31 are arranged in thecombing-out region at a distance from the periphery of the roller 13. Inthe combing-out region, the direction of movement 15 d of the beltelement 15 c and the direction of movement 13 a of the roller 13 are thesame, that is to say same-direction operation applies. The speeds of thebelt element 15 c having the combing elements 31 on the one hand and ofthe roller 13 having the clamping elements 21, including the sliverbundles 30 ₃, are different, however, that is to say a relative speedapplies. The circumferential speed of the roller 13 in the operatingregion (combing region) is greater than the speeds of movement of thecombing elements 31.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the combing elements are implemented by aplurality of rotating combing rollers 32 which lie opposite, and at adistance from, the periphery of the roller 13 in the region between thedoffer 14 and the roller 12 (see FIG. 2).

In an arrangement shown in FIG. 10 a, the directions of rotation 13 aand 14 a of the roller 13 and the doffer 14 are the same (bothclockwise). As a result, counter-direction piecing is implemented. Thecombed fibre bundles 30 ₄ are placed one over the other in the manner ofroof tiles on the cylindrical surface of the doffer. In the interior ofthe doffer 14 there is a fixed screen element 33. The cylindricalsurface of the doffer 14 has air-permeable openings. By applying anegative pressure −p in the space between the doffer 14 and the innercylindrical surface, the fibre bundles 30 ₃ are sucked from the roller13 onto the outer cylindrical surface of the doffer 14. Outside thescreen element 33, that is to say in the region without a negativepressure, the fibre bundles 30 ₄ can be detached from the outercylindrical surface of the doffer 14.

In another arrangement shown in FIG. 10 b, the directions of rotation 13a and 14 a of the roller 13 and the doffer 14 are opposite to oneanother. As a result, same-direction piecing is implemented. The combedfibre bundles 30 ₃ are removed from the roller 13 by the doffer 14 insubstantially the same way as that described with reference to theconstruction according to FIG. 10 a. Downstream of the doffer 14 thereis a sliver funnel 34 into which the overlapping fibre bundles 30 ₄enter and emerge or are withdrawn as a combed sliver 35.

FIG. 11 shows in detail one illustrative clamp arrangement. The uppernipper 22 is substantially in the form of a single-arm rotatable leverarm which is at its one end region rotatable in the direction of arrowsB and C about a pivot axis 24. The bearing 36 is mounted on the roller13. The upper nipper 22 is resiliently biased by a spring 37, forexample a compression spring. The resilient bias co-operates with thecam disc 26 (see FIG. 3) so that the upper nipper 22 is deflected by thecam disc 26 against the pressing force of the spring 37. The lowernipper 23 is resiliently biased in the region of its one end by a spring38, for example a compression spring, so that the lower nipper 23 ismovable in the direction of arrows D and E. As a result, on closing theupper nipper 22 the pressure impacts on the lower nipper 23 areresiliently cushioned, with the result that vibration, wear andimpairment of the fibre bundles 30 ₃ are substantially reduced.Reference numerals 40 and 41 denote fixed bearings on which one end ofeach of the springs 37 and 38 is supported.

The upper nippers 19 and the lower nippers 20 of the first clampingdevice 18 can be resiliently biased in a corresponding way to that shownin FIG. 11 for the second clamping devices 21.

FIGS. 12 a to 12 d show in diagrammatic form the operating sequence offibre selection in the case of the rotor combing machine 2 (two-rotorcombing machine), the Figures showing one after the other inchronological order: clamping of the fed lap 16 by the first clampingdevice 18 (FIG. 12 a), removal of a fibre tuft 30 ₁ in the direction ofrotation 12 a of the first roller 12 (FIG. 12 b), transfer of the fibretuft 30 ₂ from the roller 12 to the roller 13 by opening of the clampingdevice 18 and closing of the clamping device 21, with the fibre tuft 30₂ being clamped (FIG. 12 c), and combing of the fibre tuft 30 ₃ bymotive engagement into the combing element 31 (FIG. 12 d).

According to an illustrative arrangement shown in FIG. 13, an electroniccontrol and regulation device 42 (machine and system control means), forexample a microcomputer with a microprocessor, is provided, to whichinter alia the drive devices 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, for example electricmotors for the rollers 10, 12, 13, 14 and for the revolving card topassembly 15 (guide roller 15 a) of the rotor combing machine 2, areconnected. Reference numeral 48 denotes an input device and referencenumeral 49 denotes a display device. The drive devices for the combingpreparation machine 1, the drafting system 50, the conveyor belt 51 andfor the sliver-deposition device 3, are advantageously also connected(not shown).

Insofar as the rollers 12 and 13 are driven by means of a common gear,the drive motor for the common gear is connected to the control andregulation device 42.

The circumferential speeds are, for example, for the feed roller aboutfrom 0.2 to 1.0 m/sec; the first roller 12 about from 2.0 to 6.0 m/sec;the second roller 13 about from 2.0 to 6.0-m/sec; the doffer about from0.4 to 1.5 m/sec; and the revolving top assembly about from 1.5 to 4.5m/sec. The diameter of the first roller 12 and the second roller 13 is,for example, about from 0.3 m to 0.8 m.

In respect of the mode of operation and operating sequence of theapparatus according to the invention, typically:

Lap Preparation

A plurality of slivers are combined to form a lap 16 and draftedtogether. A plurality of laps 16 can be doubled by being placed one ontop of the other. The resulting lap 16 is introduced directly into thefeed element 10 of the rotor combing machine 2. The flow of material isnot interrupted by forming a wound lap.

Feed

Unlike a flat combing machine, the upstream lap 16 is fed continuouslyby means of a conveyor element. The feed quantity is determined by thelength of lap 16 conveyed between two closure time points of the nippers18 (reversing nippers) of the first rotor 12 (turning rotor).

Clamping 1

The fibre tuft aligned and projecting out of the lap 16 is clamped by aclamping device 18 (reversing nipper) of the first rotor 12 (turningrotor). The clamping device 18 of the first rotor 12 assumes thefunction of detachment.

Removal

As a result of the rotation of the turning rotor 12 with the reversingnippers 18 located thereon, the clamped fibre tuft is removed from thefeed lap, it being necessary for a retaining force to act on the lap 16so that the fibres in the lap 16 not clamped by the reversing nipper 8are retained. The retaining force is applied by the conveyor element ofthe feed means or by additional means such as a feed tray or a top comb.The elements that generate the retaining force assume the function ofthe top comb.

Clamping 2

The fibre tuft is aligned and transferred to the clamping device 21(combing nipper) of the second rotor 13 (combing rotor). The distancebetween the reversing nipper clamping line and the combing nipperclamping line at the time the combing device 21 closes determines theecartement.

Combing

The fibre tuft projecting out of the combing nipper 21 containsnon-clamped fibres that are eliminated by means of combing.

Piecing

The combed-out fibre tuft 30 ₃ is deposited on a take-off roller 14. Thesurface of the take-off roller 14, which surface is acted upon bysuction and is air-permeable, causes the fibre tuft to be deposited,stretched-out, on the take-off roller 14. The fibre tufts are placed oneon top of the other, overlapping in the manner of roof tiles, and form aweb of fibre portions 30 ₄.

Web Removal and Comber Sliver Formation

The web 17 is removed from the take-off roller 14 at a point on thetake-off roller not acted upon by suction and is guided into a funnel34.

Comber Sliver Procedure

The resulting comber sliver can be doubled and drafted (drafting system50) and is then deposited, for example, in a can 3 b by means of coiler3 a.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 14, a rotor combing machine hasa feed device 10, a roller 53 and doffer roller 14. The clamping devices19, 20 and the combing elements 31 are arranged on the periphery of theone rotating roller.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 63 denotes a rotating cleaning roller whichloosens combed-out constituents such as fibres, neps, dust and the likefrom the combing elements 31 and propels them into a collecting andextracting device 64.

In FIG. 9, the combing rollers are likewise provided with a cleaningroller 65 with extracting device 66.

Using the rotor combing machine 2 according to the invention, more than2000 nips/min, for example from 3000 to 5000 nips/min, are achieved.

In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the rotatably mounted rollers12 and 13 with clamping devices 19, 20 and 22, 23 are equippedadditionally with suction channels 52 and 56, respectively (suctionopenings), which, in the region of the delivery between the supplydevice 8 and the roller 12 and in the region of the delivery between therollers 12 and 13, influence the alignment and movement of the fibresbeing transported. In that way, the time for the taking up of the fibrematerial from the supply device 8 onto the first roller 12 and thedelivery to the second roller 13 is significantly reduced so that thenip rate can be increased. The suction openings 52, 56 are arrangedwithin the rollers 12 and 13, respectively, and rotate with the rollers.At least one suction opening is associated with each clamping device 19,20 and 22, 23 (nipper device). The suction openings 52, 56 are eacharranged between a gripping element (upper nipper) and counter-element(lower nipper). In the interior of the rotors 12, 13 there is anunderpressure region 53 to 55 and 57 to 59, respectively, created by thesuction flow at the suction openings 52, 56. The underpressure can begenerated by connecting to a flow-generating machine. The suction flowat the individual suction openings 52, 56 can be so switched betweenunderpressure region and suction opening that it is applied only atparticular selected angular positions on the roller circumference. Forthe purpose of the switching, valves or a valve pipe 54, 58 withopenings 57 and 59, respectively, in the corresponding angular positionscan be used. The release of the suction flow may also be brought aboutby the movement of the gripping element (upper nipper). Furthermore, itis possible to arrange a region of underpressure only at thecorresponding angular positions.

Additionally, a blowing flow can be provided in the region of the supplydevice 8 and/or in the region of transfer between the rollers. Thesource of the blowing flow (blowing nozzle 39) is arranged inside thefeed roller 10 and has effect, through the air-permeable surface of thesupply device or air passage openings, towards the outside in thedirection of the first roller. Also, in the region of the supply device8, the element for producing the blown air flow can be fixedly arranged,directly under or over the supply device 8. In the region of thetransfer between the rollers 12, 13 the blown air current sources can bearrange at the perimeter of the first roller 12, directly under or overeach nipper device. For the blown air generation there may be usedcompressed air nozzles or air blades.

The suction flow B can favourably influence and shorten not only theguiding, but also the separation process between the lap and the tuftsto be removed in the region of the supply device 8.

As a result of the provision of additional air guide elements 60 andlateral screens 61, 62 the direction of the flow can be influenced andthe air carried round with the rotors separated off. In that way thetime for set up can be further shortened. In particular, a screenelement between the first rotor 12 and supply device 8 over the lap anda screen element on each side of the roller have proved useful.

The combed out fibre portion 30 ₃ passes from the second roller 13 ontothe piecing roller 14.

In use of the rotor combing machine according to the invention there isachieved a mechanical combing of the fibre material to be combed, thatis, mechanical means are used for the combing. There is no pneumaticcombing of the fibre material to be combed, that is, no air currents,e.g. suction and/or blown air currents, are used.

In the rotor combing machine according to the invention there arepresent rollers that rotate rapidly without interruption and that haveclamping devices. Rollers that rotate with interruptions, stepwise oralternating between a stationary and rotating state are not used.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of understanding, it will beobvious that changes and modifications may be practiced within the scopeof the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for the sorting or selection of a fibre structurecomprising textile fibres which is supplied by means of a supply deviceto a sorting device, wherein the sorting device comprises: at least onerotatably mounted roller, arranged downstream of the supply device, thatrotates rapidly without interruption; clamping devices which can clamp aportion of the fibre at a distance from its free end; a mechanicalcombing device comprising at least one combing element which generates acombing action from the clamping site to the free end of the fibre inorder to loosen and remove non-clamped constituents from the free end;wherein the clamping devices are provided on said at least one rotatablymounted roller distributed spaced apart in the region of the rollerperiphery, and the at least one combing element is associated with theperiphery of the roller.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in whichthe clamping devices co-operate with combing elements located oppositethe periphery of the roller and spaced therefrom.
 3. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which, during combing-out, the fibre sliverbeing combed out is in engagement with a clamping device and with acombing element.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which thesupply device comprises one or more of: a roller having clothing orneedles; a circulating comb element; two endlessly circulating belts; atleast two feed rollers; and a slow-speed feed roller and a feed table.5. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which a top comb is arrangedbetween the supply arrangement and the rotatable roller.
 6. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which the supply device conveys the fibre lapcontinuously, and a separation device is provided to separate the fibrelap delivered by the supply device stepwise into individual fibre tufts.7. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which there is a first rollerprovided with first clamping devices distributed spaced apart around itsperiphery and a second roller provided with second clamping devicesdistributed spaced apart around its periphery.
 8. An apparatus accordingto claim 7, in which the first clamping devices and the second clampingdevices each have a rotatably or displaceably mounted gripping element.9. An apparatus according to claim 8, in which the first and secondclamping devices each have a fixedly mounted counter-element or amovably mounted counter-element.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 1,in which there is a relative movement between the clamping devices ofthe first roller and the supply device.
 11. An apparatus according toclaim 7, in which, when transferring the fibre bundles from the firstroller to the second roller, the first clamping elements and the secondclamping devices co-operate.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 7, inwhich the first roller and the second roller rotate in oppositedirections to one another.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 7, inwhich the second clamping devices co-operate with further combingelements, which are arranged at a distance from the outer periphery ofthe second roller.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 7, in which thecombing device has endlessly circulating comb elements on a revolvingtop device, associated with the second roller.
 15. An apparatusaccording to claim 14, in which the comb elements run in the samedirection as the clamped fibre tufts and the speed ratio between thesecond roller and the top device circulation is greater than
 1. 16. Anapparatus according to claim 15, in which the combing device has atleast one rotating circular comb roller with combing elements around itsperiphery.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising atake-off roller associated with the second roller upon which combedfibre tufts can be pieced.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 17, inwhich the outer cylindrical surface of the take-off roller hasair-passage openings and in which the interior of the take-off roller isconnected to a source of negative pressure.
 19. An apparatus accordingto claim 18, in which a portion of the inner cylindrical surface of thetake-off roller is sealed by a screen element.
 20. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which a drive device is provided for moving theclamping devices, and a cam gear is arranged between the drive deviceand the clamping devices.
 21. An apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a cleaning device comprising a cleaning roller and anextraction device associated with the cleaning roller.
 22. An apparatusaccording to claim 7, in which, for the suction of the supplied slivers,at least one suction device is associated with the clamping devices inthe region of the take-up of the fibre sliver from the supply device tothe first roller and/or in the region of the take-up of the fibrematerial from the first roller to the second roller.
 23. An apparatusaccording to claim 7, in which, at least one blowing opening is providedin the region of the delivery of the fibre sliver from the supply deviceto the first roller and/or in the region of the delivery of the fibrematerial from the first roller to the second roller.